04/02/2008

In February of 2008, Refugees International conducted a mission inside Burma, also known as Myanmar, to evaluate the humanitarian situation inside the country. During this mission, Refugees International encountered many civil society organizations, which are often the foundations of successful internationally sponsored humanitarian work. Additionally, Refugees International met civil society activists that are working to create indigenous alternatives to the current political debate inside the country.

One such group is Myanmar Egress. The organization was founded in 2006 by Burmese scholars and social workers who have been actively involved in various civil society and political activities for 15 years. They run an informal university and training facility to provide ambitious Burmese students with Western-style education in economics and governance.

As Myanmar Egress says on their web site:

“Due to the long political impasse in the country, Myanmar and Myanmar people have been facing a plethora of social, political and economic problems. Regardless of the ongoing socio-political and economic problems in the country, Myanmar is not short of young people who are keen to work for the country. Many young people also understand the need to work together by forming social and professional organizations.

“However, most young people in Burma lack the necessary knowledge and expertise to do what they wish to or should do for their country. The country’s education system does not prepare young people to meet the needs of the new economic system and to face other challenges. Most young people could not afford to study at private academic and technical training schools in the country, let alone study in foreign countries.”

Though their work may be controversial in some circles, Refugees International believes that Myanmar Egress is an example of an organization carrying out important work that many critics in the West think is impossible to conduct inside Burma. To learn more about the organization, you can visit their webpage at www.myanmaregress.org.